Q: Good day Ma’am. Please, at what stage of pregnancy is one required to take Tetanus injection as a first time mum? Thank you.

A: Hallos! Thanks for writing in.

This is a very good question. I will discuss how this should be taken at different stages:

Tetanus Toxoid (TT1) injection is usually given at first contact; then 4 weeks after TT1, the next dose (TT2) is given. 6 months after this, TT3 is due and 1 year after TT3, it’s time for TT4. The final dose is given 1 year after TT4. This is the standard regimen and the five doses protect women throughout child-bearing years.

If you had taken TT1 to 4 before pregnancy, you will receive one dose at least 4 weeks before delivery.

If you had not received any dose of TT before pregnancy, you will receive 2 doses, 1 month apart before putting to bed. The first dose may be given as early as practicable in pregnancy. Thereafter, follow the rest of the standard regimen…with the 6-month dose occurring after pregnancy.

Why is TT injection such a big deal? Well, it is because it kills an estimated 180,000 neonates and up to 30,000 women annually[i]. Tetanus is acquired by exposing broken skin or dead tissue like a wound or cut umbilical cord, to the spores of Clostridium tetani present in soil. Poverty and poor hygiene increase the risk of tetanus. So, protect yourself and your unborn baby with TT injections.